I see these for sale with 4+1 capacity and with 6+1 capacity. What gives? These aren't even made anymore, right? Also, which is the better gun, one of these or a 870 Police, if price is the same. Thanks.

Dave McC

September 30, 2002, 04:31 PM

"Better" is a relative term,CC.

All the various 870s with shorter bbls are excellent defensive tools.And,if 4+1 isn't enough to handle a crisis when in trained hands, a 6+1 probably won't either.

A good, close to stock setup for newcomers on a "Serious" 870 would be something like....

If equipped with that egregious set of dimples in the mag tube, these should be removed using the techniques mentioned in the Archives, or for tool challenged folks like myself, by a good smith.

Same same for that keyed safety. The best replacement is the standard old style, the jumbos are easier to knock off and on, IMO. It takes little effort and training to use the standard one well.

It should have a stock that fits the shooter and be equipped with a good pad. The Rempad is OK, as long as it's not calcified into hardness by age.

The trigger should be under 4 lbs for best work, and most are right from the factory.

It should have sights that one can use easily under duress and in any light. The FO jobs are on the fragile side, and most folks can do good work with just a bead. For slug use, a good peep or Ghost Ring setup is better than a bead, but a bead will work if you're up to it.

That's about it. No bellsnwhistles, no complications. The next thing to buy is ammo and range time, maybe lessons.

As for mag extensions, a two shot extension is best for most folks, even if your 870 has a bbl longer than 18". It adds enough weight to aid control, helps stiffen the bbl for slug shooting, and again,4-6 rounds of 12 gauge ammo, properly applied, will handle most anything that a shotgun can, in trained,cool hands.

HTH....

cjklekar

November 26, 2005, 02:12 PM

from Dave McC:
same for that keyed safety. The best replacement is the standard old style
I too have been researching about 870s & wondered about the trigger group being replaced...

Can the keyed safety be replaced with an old style trigger group? What are the options here? Thanks.

DPris

November 26, 2005, 03:17 PM

Strongly suggest you just buy one of the Police models. Aluminum trigger housing, no mag dimples, NO LOCKING SAFETY BUTTON. Also better internals.
Otherwise, the locking safety button can be replaced by either a Remington or aftermarket part. No need to replace the whole trigger group just for the safety.
Denis

Twycross

November 26, 2005, 03:24 PM

LOL. This thread is three years old, and the original poster hasn't posted since may of '04.

cjklekar

November 26, 2005, 03:50 PM

Sorry, I'm the one who resurrected the thread. Since that was my first post to this forum, I didn't know that there was a time limit on what threads that can be commented on...

I'm just looking for relevant info before I drop my hard earned money on a firearm; my search brought me to this thread.:confused:

Twycross

November 26, 2005, 04:01 PM

Don't feel bad. There is no limit on dead thread ressurection :). Welcome to TFL!

Dfariswheel

November 26, 2005, 08:20 PM

The 870 trigger groups, (Remington calls it the "Trigger plate") are interchangeable.

If you buy a gun with either the plastic group, or a Wingmaster with the aluminum groups AND the "lockable" safety, you have options:

First is to buy a used aluminum group from Ebay or some other source.

Second is to replace the locking safety button with an old style non-locking safety.

Apparently, all that's required is an old type safety and possibly an old style spring.

Of course, the best of all worlds, if you can afford it, is to buy a Remington 870P Police gun, which is the top-of-the-line in pump defense guns.

craigntx

November 26, 2005, 08:29 PM

found a 3 1/2 at a pawn shop for $150:)
found a 3 in. bbl w/ rifle sites for $55 (this'll fit, right? havent gotten it yet)

does this thing have the "egregious" dimples
is the safety the better type
can, or should i mess with the trigger?
i havent shot it yet